What are we to do? I certainly have no answer but worry about the wisdom of using violence against violence - and declaring war as the only response.I don’t know, but hatred and fear – added to more hatred - will surely only achieve more hatred and fear and on and on and on….

For me, the old phrase from ‘Hair, the musical’ raises its banner in my mind once more, saying: ‘FIGHTING FOR PEACE IS LIKE F---ING FOR CHASTITY’.True, true, true.But what is the solution? What else can anyone do?

Hatred has permeated so many parts of the world and the haters, showing little care for others - even their own, are using gullible, naïve youngsters to do their dirty work; to die for the cause.And the cause is hate.Hate of ‘the other’.One has to wonder at the depth of their anger that any – and all - empathy for others has been obliterated.

Is it too late to show a path to peace? Sadly I think it is.I have always said that ‘love is all that matters’but it no longer seems that love is enough.

(Ignoring the parts about God), the last verse of the old ‘Tree of Peace’ song seems too hopeful right now, but I will include it, nevertheless.

‘Then shall all shackles fall; the stormy clangorOf wild war music o’er the earth shall cease;Love shall tread out the baleful fire of anger,And in its ashes plant the tree of peace.’